Platforms: PS5, PC
Genre: Mech Action, Third-Person Shooter

Earlier this year, we already received what is one of the best mecha games of perhaps the entire generation with FromSoftware’s Armored Core 6 Fires Of Rubicon. However, not everyone wants to play through the gauntlet of Souls-like difficulty just to get some mecha action. Some people just want some mindless mecha action to enjoy and that’s essentially what Custom Mech Wars is here for.

Scrap Metal

From the developer/publisher of Earth Defense Force comes Custom Mech Wars, and from there, you’ll probably know what to expect from this game; just some mindless action which some folks prefer and there’s nothing wrong with that. Custom Mech Wars is truly for those who just want some mindless mecha action and to play with their own self-made mech toy. That’s all there is to Custom Mech Wars, literally, I’m not kidding. The story doesn’t matter in Custom Mech Wars because there are no cutscenes or any sort of proper introduction. The game just tells you there are rogue AI mechs and you’re supposed to destroy them. From there, you just play mission by dreary mission simply destroying wave after wave of enemy mecha.

That’s it, there is no variety during missions, just wave after wave of braindead enemies. The game also suffers from some of the blandest visuals, environments and level design I’ve ever seen in recent years, so much so that I’ve seen PS2 games that look better than this. It all doesn’t just look bad, but it’s even more frustrating when you can get stuck in the terrain for no reason, which makes traversal and movement feel so choppy and sluggish. This is especially bad in the cities, which have buildings tightly placed between each other and narrow pathways that don’t feel like it’s designed for a mecha game.

When the combat does work, Custom Mech Wars is a bargain bin version of Armored Core. You just move and shoot. There’s no need for strategies or anything of the sort. Run out of ammo? Just summon another backup mecha. On normal difficulty, I didn’t die even once. Sure, there’s a big selection of weapons and customization options to choose from in Custom Mech Wars, but that’s the only fun part of the game. You could make any kind of weird mecha that you want, but in almost every other aspect, including gameplay, story, presentation and graphics, there’s nothing appealing or fun about Custom Mech Wars. What more can I say about a game this shallow?

Mechanical Failure

Again, if all you want is mindless mecha fun where you can drop into a mission and destroy waves of enemies without a second thought, Custom Mech Wars is the game for you. If you’re really looking for a meaty mecha game with lots of worthwhile content, please for the love of all things mecha, just get Armored Core 6 Fires Of Rubicon instead.

PROS

• A variety of weapons and customization options make it somewhat fun to build your own mech.

CONS

• No variety between repetitive missions, just wave after wave of brain-dead AI enemies.
• Bland visuals and environments.
• Can easily get stuck in terrain.
• A non-existent story with no cutscenes.

FINAL SCORE: 30/100

Custom Mech Wars was reviewed on PS5 based on a review copy provided by Clouded Leopard Entertainment. Custom Mech Wars will launch for the PS5 and PC on 14 December 2023.